Boris Johnson tells world leaders to 'get serious' about climate change at Biden summit
threw himself wholeheartedly behind today as the US president tore up the Trump administration's antipathy towards tackling . Mr Biden used a climate conference attended by 40 world leaders including Vladimir Putin to pledge to cut US greenhouse gas emissions in half compared to 2005 output within the next decade, a move the Prime Minister hailed as 'game-changing'. The US reduction - estimated to be around a 41-44 per cent cut on 1990 levels - is part of a national climate plan, which it is submitting as part of its return to the Paris climate accord, the world's first comprehensive climate treaty which Donald Trump quit when he was president. But the Prime Minister has already faced criticism over his own plans which go far further than those of the US. Mr Johnson has set out the UK's moves to cut greenhouse gases by 78 per cent of 1990 levels by 2035. According to advice from the UK Government's advisory Climate Change Committee (CCC), delivering on Mr Johnson's target will mean radical changes including an end to heating homes with natural gas boilers, eating less meat and dairy produce, and switching to electric cars. Critics said it would cost 10,000 to upgrade homes and mean a cut in foreign holidays. But Mr Johnson urged the world's richest nations to embrace climate action for the sake of growth and jobs today - as he told them it was not just about 'bunny-hugging'. 'I'm not saying any of this is going to be easy and there is obviously going to be a political challenge,' the PM told assembled world leaders. 'It's vital for all of us to show that this is not all about some expensive, politically correct, green act of bunny hugging, or however you want to put it, there's nothing wrong with bunny hugging. 'What I'm driving at is this is about growth and jobs, and I think the President (Biden) was absolutely right to stress that. 'We can build back better from this pandemic by building back greener.' The two-day US-led summit also heard from leaders of major economies including China, Japan, Russia, Canada, India and Australia. As part of diplomatic efforts in the lead up to the summit, the US and China issued a statement pledging to work together and with other countries on the issue. Among the countries bringing forward new targets were Japan, whose prime minister Yoshihide Suga said its target would be a 46 per cent cut on 2013 levels, compared to an earlier 26 per cent goal, with efforts to push the reduction as high as 50 per cent. Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau announced his country's new target of slashing carbon emissions by 40 per cent to 45 per cent by 2030 compared to 2005 levels, saying it was "on track to blow past" the old target of a 30 per cent cut. The European Union has agreed a new climate law which includes a goal to cut its emissions by 55 per cent by 2030 on 1990 levels. Mr Johnson set out the UK's moves to cut greenhouse gases by 78 per cent by 2035. 'As host of Cop26 we want to see similar ambitions around the world, we are working with everybody from the smallest nations to the biggest emitters to secure commitments that will keep change to within 1.5C,' he said. 'I think we can do it, to do it we need scientists in all of our countries to work together to produce the technological solutions that humanity is going to need,' he said, pointing to technology to store carbon and cheap hydrogen. He added: 'It will mean the richest nations coming together and exceeding the 100 billion US dollar commitment that they already made in 2009' to support developing countries, stressing how important that was. It comes ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in in November. President Biden told the summit it could help build a more prosperous, equitable society, stressing the jobs that could be created. 'The signs are unmistakeable, the science is undeniable. The cost of inaction keeps mounting. 'The United States isn't waiting, we are resolving to take action, not only our federal government but our cities and our states all across our country, small business, large corporations, American workers in every field,' he said. He said the US only represented 15 per cent of the world's emissions and that no nation can solve the crisis on its own. 'All of us, particularly those who represent the world's largest economies, we have to step up. 'Those that do take action and make bold investments in their people, in clean energy futures, will win the good jobs of tomorrow and make their economies more resilient and more competitive.' Countries have been expected to come forward with more ambitious plans up to 2030, known as nationally determined contributions (NDC) in the Paris deal, ahead of Cop26 in November. That is because existing plans are not enough to meet countries' commitments under the Paris deal to curb global temperature rises to 'well below' 2C above pre-industrial levels - or 1.5C if possible - and avoid the most dangerous impacts of climate change. Chinese president Xi Jinping has called for a 'people-centred' approach to the climate crisis. President Xi said: 'We must treat nature as our root, respect it, protect it and follow its laws, we should protect nature and preserve the environment like we protect our eyes. 'Second, we must be committed to green development - green mountains are gold mountains, to protect the environment is to protect productivity and to boost the environment is to boost productivity. 'The truth is as simple as that.' He added: 'We must be committed to a people-centred approach, the environment concerns the wellbeing of people in all countries, we need to take into full account people's desire for a better quality of life and good environment as well as our responsibility for future generations.' Vladimir Putin told the climate summit that since the 1990s Russia has halved its annual carbon dioxide emissions from 3.1 billion tonnes to 1.6 billion tonnes, and could be carbon neutral as early as 2025. 'This has become possible because of a fundamental restructuring of our industry and energy that has been under way for the last two decades,' he said. 'As a result, as of now, 45 per cent of our energy mix is accounted for by low-emission energy sources, including nuclear generation.' Mr Putin said Russia planned to carry out a 'large-scale campaign' of environmental modernisation and greater efficiency across all sectors of its economy, including the use of carbon capture and storage from all carbon sources. He continued: 'We're also building an infrastructure for producing hydrogen to be used both as a fuel, and an energy source.' Mr Putin said Russia was also developing a carbon pricing and trading system, claiming such a system could allow Russia to be carbon neutral as early as 2025. Boris Johnson's plans to slash the UK's greenhouse emissions by nearly four-fifths in a decade sparked criticism today, as the PM was accused of 'shameless virtue signalling' and pursuing unreachable targets that would put the UK's economic recovery at risk. The Prime Minister has described the target to reduce emissions by 78% on 1990 levels by 2035, which will be set in law under the Government's sixth carbon budget, as the most ambitious in the world. The major changes that will be necessary to achieve the 78% CO2 reduction - as set out by a report by the Climate Change Committee - are detailed below. One measure to meet the emissions target includes requiring people to cut the amount of meat and dairy they eat by a fifth in the next decade, the CCC said. Average meat consumption currently stands at 70g a day, according to the NHS, so reducing this by a fifth would equal 56g - approximately the weight of a chicken breast. This means that someone who has meat for every three meals could only do this twice a week. Similarly, the average Briton would need to shave a fifth of the average milk consumption down to 16ml a day - roughly three teaspoons. Tory MP Peter Bone criticised the plan for meat and dairy when it was first proposed by the Climate Change Committee last year. 'It's the sort of thing that won't happen because of government intervention. Maybe more people will move that way,' Mr Bone said. 'But government won't say to people, ''you can only have dairy products five days a week''.' Mr Johnson, who drove a 15-year-old diesel car before entering government, has been determined to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions and the UK has pledged to reach net zero by 2050. In February, it was revealed that the PM has ordered Whitehall departments to look at how much greenhouse gas emissions produced by different sectors of the economy cost society. He pondered new carbon taxes and charges for Britain that would see higher prices on meat and cheese at the supermarket and on gas for their hobs and boilers at home. At present, only airlines and power generators are charged for their emissions, but ministers want to extend the 'polluter pays' principle to all sectors. This could lead to a hike in prices for goods such as beef, lamb and cheese, or more heavily polluting forms of heating such as gas. No costs have been mooted by Whitehall, but recent studies by a team at Oxford University have calculated that surcharges of 40 per cent on beef, 25 per cent on oils, 20 per cent on milk, 15 per cent on lamb and 10 per cent on chicken would reduce emissions and reduce consumption in the way the PM wants. This means that the cost of a sirloin steak, currently around 4.50 in the supermarket, would be around 6.30 and mince would rise 1.46 to 5.02. Olive oil would increase from 3.75 to 4.69. Four pints of milk would go from 1.09 to 1.32, four lamb chops up to 7.50 from 6, six chicken breasts up 50p per pack to 5.50 while a whole chicken would increase in price by 28p to 3.78; Eggs would rise 5p to 94p and sugar would increase by a penny to 66p. The CCC has suggested that new oil-fired boilers will have to be banned by 2028, and gas-fired boilers by 2033. A previous report suggested that these measures to reduce household emissions by 2050 could cost as much as 10,000 per home. This includes about 2,000 on insulation and 6,000 on installing alternatives to gas boilers, such as electric heat pumps. Hydrogen and heat pumps have both been touted as a low carbon emission alternative. But issues with these heat sources have been highlighted by Dr Matt Lipson, the business lead at Energy Systems Catapult's Consumer Insight. He told BBC Radio 4: The downside is theres no (hydrogen) supplier at the moment, so if you want to do it this winter you might struggle. However, the report suggests that the reduction in household emissions by 2050 could cost as much as 10,000 per home. This includes about 2,000 on insulation and 6,000 on installing alternatives to gas boilers, such as electric heat pumps. Dr Lipson added: When we look at the costs nationally it seems the best option is a mix of solutions - theres no silver bullet unfortunately. Obviously the price of a planet we can all live on isnt free but I think its probably worth the bill. 'We have to take a nuanced approach and different choices for different places.' Dr Jonathan Marshall, head of analysis at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit said: 'Calling time on gas boilers will represent a major step on the UKs path to a carbon neutral nation and is a way for families up and down the country to take action on their carbon footprints.' There are also warnings about the volatile nature of hydrogen, which could result in explosions and leaks that are difficult to detect. Boiler Guide states: 'Because of its high energy content, hydrogen gas is a highly flammable and volatile substance which makes it a risky fuel to work with. 'Hydrogen is incredibly flammable which makes it a dangerous fuel if not handled correctly. There is also no smell to hydrogen so sensors are required to detect leaks.' The sale of new petrol and diesel cars, motorbikes and vans, including plug-in hybrids, will have to be phased out by the early 2030s, and even HGVs will start to shift to greener alternatives. That will mean more electric vehicles and charging points, and people will also need to use their cars less, with more home working and more journeys on foot, bike or public transport - with buses and trains also going green. 'Achieving decarbonisation of surface transport will require a sector-wide transition to vehicles that produce zero tailpipe emissions,' the CCC has said. It highlighted how cars account for 61% of 'surface' transport emissions, which covers roads, public transport and the rail network. New petrol and diesel cars and vans are expected to no longer be sold by 2030. And the committee has said hybrid cars, which are part-electric but still have an engine, should be included in this move from 2032. The average cost of buying a new electric car in the UK is 44,000, according to industry figures, suggesting a heavy cost for consumers. Experts have also raised concerns about whether the UK can manufacture enough batteries to fit e-models. Hugh Bladon, from the Alliance of British Drivers, said: 'This would destroy the motor industry and make too expensive for the people who need to use cars to ever own one.' A frequent flyer tax is being discussed, with an aim for flights from the UK to be cut by 15 per cent from 2018 levels in a 'highly optimistic' scenario for lowering emissions. The average Briton currently takes 10 foreign holidays every five years, which would need to reduce to around 8. This is the equivalent of around three foreign holidays every two years. Meanwhile, the upward pressure on air fares caused by extra taxes could see prices return to levels not seen since the 1970s. The CCC found aviation emissions accounted for 7% of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2018 - an increase of 88% from 1990 levels. But as the Covid pandemic grounded planes and stopped international travel, the report estimates the UK has seen a drop of at least 60% of greenhouse gas emissions from 2019. It highlights that with pre-pandemic passenger levels not expected to return until 2024, the pandemic has presented an opportunity to examine ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the future. Among the report's suggestions to prevent the situation worsening, they warn there can be no increase in UK airport capacity unless any expansion - such as at Heathrow - is balanced by reductions in capacity elsewhere in the UK.